Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2014 11:12:43 +0400
From: Nell Bas
Subject: the last feres/ the feri circle 5
Happy reading!
The Feri Circle
Chapter 5
I enjoyed my father's company. I didn't know why I was so scared to come
and see him in the first place. We talked some more about the times he
spent with my mother. They were really in love. My mom seemed like a
lovely person. I would have liked to meet her.
All through our conversation, I noticed my father stealing glances at his
orb on the altar. And I knew why.
`It's calling you, isn't it?' I asked after a bit.
He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. `Yes.'
It was then I realized that I had completely forgotten the purpose of my
visit. We were having such a good time.
`Dad,' I said quietly, `I know we don't have much time left but can you
tell me about the feri children? How do I find them?'
My father smiled. `It's what you came for, isn't it?'
I nodded.
`The feri children are the descendents of the first five Feri who were
chosen to remain behind while the others entered Slumber. In case you're
wondering, you and I both are feri children as well. As feri children, our
primary purpose is to protect the Memorium and our slumbering brothers and
sisters.'
`And to provide the necessary genome for their transformation,' I added.
My father raised a brow. `So my mother told you.'
I nodded.
`Go on. What else did she say?'
I quickly summarized everything my grandmother told me. My father
attentively listened and not once did he interrupt me. When I was done he
was smiling.
`You're a faster learner than I thought,' he said ruffling my hair.
I blushed at the compliment.
`Dad. I don't understand something. How are we, the feri children,
providing the others with new DNA? And what's with the transformation?'
`Like my mother told you, our slumbering kin are not built for war or even
to cope with a life of hardship. They aren't strong enough; at least
mentally. Somewhere along the evolutionary ladder they lost the ability to
adapt to changes. So they need it back. When the last five stayed behind
they procreated with the Targs creating us. Of course it's been a long
time since the originals, I am of the ninety- eighth generation. Can you
guess my age?'
`Thirty something...' To me my father looked young but I wasn't so sure.
`Try sixty-six. Fifty is the age we, the feri children, are when we have
to join the others in slumber. Since we are all connected my own DNA
joined countless others' in our racial gene pool. Now they all get to
share my genetic information and can change.'
I think I understand. Although my father made it sounds easy, I knew the
process was more complex than what he was letting on.
`Now, about the feri children of your generation. I don't know who or
where they are. But follow the bird to my sister Amegra. Besides
Helledon, she's the only one of my generation who has not entered slumber
yet. She can guide you in the right direction.'
All of a sudden, my father's orb began to glow red and I could feel it
pulsing from where I was sitting. My father shivered. `I really have to
be going now or else I'll die for real this time.'
He stood, bringing me with him. I wanted to hug him goodbye but he was non
corporeal. Leaning forward, he kissed me on the forehead and smiled before
he dissolved into a cloud of white smoke and darted straight for his
memoria.
*
Once I was outside the Memorium, I went in search of Wren. I couldn't wait
to tell him about my mother.
I was passing by the kitchen when I heard Helen shouting; `Get away from
there you filthy creature!'
Her irritated voice was soon followed by scurrying feet, thrashing noises
and an ear piercing shriek. Thinking the citadel was under attack I rushed
into the kitchen ready to defend her. But when I got there I did nothing
but laugh.
The place was a mess. Food items and utensils were strewn everywhere. Two
maids were clutching each other in terror. Helen on the other hand, was
angrily running around with a broom held high above her head. She was
chasing a spooked crow, which was croaking franticly and staying clear of
the broom.
When it saw me the bird flew towards me and landed on my shoulder. It was
visibly shaken.
`Hi there, Pitch,' I said remembering his name. He belonged to Amma,
Wren's mom. He must have followed Ned and me here.
`You know this creature?' Helen asked poised with her broom.
`Yeah. He's harmless.'
`Huh!' Helen huffed and lowered her weapon. `Harmless! Do you know how
many diseases that thing carries? Let me answer that for you – Plenty.
And I will not have it near my food. I will not have it in this kitchen.'
`Okay, okay,' I said. `I'll take him outside.'
`See that you do or else it will end up in a fire pit.'
I suppressed a grin as I made my way to the door.
Helen gave out a displeased grunt. `Come on ladies. Let's disinfect the
place before we start all over again. Filthy bird,' she said as I reached
the hallway. I laughed loudly this time.
`Can't keep away from trouble can you, Pitch? What're you doing here
anyway? Shouldn't you be with your mistress?' I said patting his back.
He croaked and shook his head sideways as if to say no. Huh! Does he
really understand me? It croaked again as if he heard my thoughts.
I laughed.
I was almost at the door when I met Ned and Bron. Together?!
Huh! They made up. I never doubted that they would. Being the only two
leopards in a houseful of wolves, I wasn't surprised.
`Hey guys. What's up?' I asked before my eyes fell on a conspicuous
traveling leather bag hanging across Ned's shoulder. I looked at him and
frowned. `Are you leaving?'
`Yes,' he said. My heart sank. But before I could think of anything else
he added. `I'm not abandoning you if that what you're thinking.'
I glanced from him to Bron with a quizzical look on my face. `What going
on?'
`I'm going to Belen. I met Xander the other day at Camp. We got to
talking and I found him sympathetic to my predicament. Embarrassing as
this may sound, after pouring my heart to the guy, he agreed to teach me
the ways of the sword.'
With the pain lifted from my chest, I gave him a heartfelt smile while I
moved closer. I touched his face with an open palm. `For weeks I've
watched you drown yourself in regret and sorrow. Moping and walking about
the Citadel without a purpose. As if you lost your very soul. While I
don't know how it feels to lose part of myself, I get that you needed to
grieve. But let me tell you that your leopard was only the mask you wore
not the person you are inside. Even if you haven't, I found that person.
He came out to me in Xell's dungeon and I forever held on to his courage
and kind heart. Now get this into that thick skull of yours, you're not
useless. Everyone has a purpose in this life. You go find yours and then
come back to us.'
He pulled me into a bone-crushing hug. Pitch flew off with a displeasing
cry. Ned mumbled a thank you. I peered over his shoulder and saw Bron
grinning at us. I winked at him and he laughed.
When Ned finally released me, we walked outside to the shallow pool. Bron
came to stand by my side and we watched him disappear with new hope etched
in his eyes.
`Do you really think he'll be okay?' Bron asked.
I sighed. `I'm certain he will.'
Shortly after Ned's departure, Farren came to us outside. He had a message
for Bron. Apparently Jan needed his help with something.
I turned to face Farren. He was staring suspiciously at Pitch who had
returned to my shoulder.
`That thing is a familiar. If it's not yours I suggest you get rid of it,
Your Majesty.'
`Why?' Both Bron and I asked in unison.
`Familiars are spies. What they see their masters see.' Straight to the
point as usual, I thought.
Farren was a mystery I have yet to solve. He rarely has spoken to anyone
since he got here. Whenever he did however, I found his words made a lot
of sense. He was... I suddenly paused in mid-thought. I just realized how
Amma found Ned and me in the forest before she saved us from Xell's men.
Since she couldn't enter Xell's shielding spell she sent Pitch instead.
That puzzled me a bit. Why send Pitch after me in the first place? She
must have been on my trail for a while then. Hum! Whatever her
intentions, I will find out. When I know how that is.
`Don't worry about Pitch. He is to me like your bird is to you.' By the
way, where is his bird?
I looked around and I didn't find it anywhere. How could that be? I heard
that mergents can't be too far from their mergers. Well, not entirely
true. Lady Maia's horse did go on an errand way across the fields to the
river's edge without her. But Maia was an elder. Her knowledge, skills
and discipline give her certain privileges.
`Is something wrong, Your Majesty?' Farren asked puzzled by my behavior.
`Your mergent,' I said. `Where is he?' Bron pulled a puzzled expression
as well. I guessed he too was wondering.
`You won't find him, sire. I tucked him away.'
`What do you mean tucked him away?' Bron asked.
`We Neornites have found a way to hide our mergents from others who might
wish to harm us. I personally don't know who came up with the solution but
we are able to keep our mergents close on our bodies. Here sire,' he said
turning his back to me. He pulled off his tunic, revealing a large white
tattoo of a bird with tucked wings and its eyes shut on his back.
Fascinating!
I reached up and traced the tattoo with my fingers. The moment I touched
it, the white bird opened its eyes and wings. Displeased at being
disturbed, it crawled down and disappeared to a part of Farren's skin
covered by his pants.
`Outstanding!' Again both Bron and I said at the same time.
Farren didn't respond. He just put his tunic back on and left.
I stared after him for a moment. Long blond hair, blue eyes with high
cheek bones, he was the puppy in the pet store that every breathing male or
female was searching for. Yet, he was too composed, and that gave him a
look of maturity way beyond his years. Always on his guard, he hadn't let
down his hair even once since he arrived. Is he happy here? Does he miss
home? I know he rarely shows emotions but does he have someone waiting for
him there, because he hasn't solicited sex from anybody. He must be
sexually frustrated. I know Wren and the others would be if they went that
long without it.
`I swear. That guy is getting weirder and weirder every day. I believe he
has spadis in his blood.' Spadis are Targs who willingly choose to stay
clear of any sexual activities. I guessed Bron had the same burning
questions in his head. But Farren wasn't a spadis. I saw his glyph. He
was a breeder.
`Of all people Bron, you shouldn't be making fun of Farren.'
`Sorry, Your Majesty, but ever since I arrived here the guy hasn't even
glanced at anyone with interest. I don't know how he does it. I surely
couldn't. Not having sex for a day.'
I chuckled.
`Not everyone is the same Bron. Besides, he is proof that all Targs can
have control over their addictions.'
`If you say so, Your Majesty,' Bron said grinning.
I laughed while considering his previous statements. True, Farren is a
mystery. But the truth will come out eventually. It always does. Then my
mind switched to Bron. He said he couldn't go a day without sex. Who has
he been doing? I'm sure the wolves haven't been too friendly to him. But
before I could ask him however, he suddenly became stiff and his face
changed. His frown and guarded expression told me someone was behind me.
I turned to see Wren approaching with Reed by his side. They were sweaty
and dirty. Reed had a dangerous look in his eyes as he pinned Bron with a
stare. It's not the first time I saw him looking at Bron like that. I
wondered what had gotten into him.
`If you'll excuse me, sire. I think I'm needed inside.' Bron said before
he left.
`Hey! Are you okay?' Wren asked once he stood in front of me. He bent down
and gave me a long loving kiss. Pitch flew off when he had heard Wren's
voice. I wondered why?
`Yeah, I'm good.' I said.
`Well I'm not,' Wren said with a devilish grin. `I'm in need of some
loving.' That means he's horny.
`Oh, yeah?'
`Oh, yeah. I need a long bath and a naked massage from a naked guy. You
interested?'
`And if I'm not,' I played along.
`Well, I'll have to settle for Reed here. But quite frankly, I prefer you.
My brother is rotten at giving massages.'
`Speak for yourself mutt. I give the best of massages.' Reed replied. Now
that Bron was out of sight, his mood had returned to normal.
Wren and I both laughed as we followed him hand in hand to the common bath.
...
End of chapter 5